Albert I believe you. But, after all your famous exploits, what do you want from me? Scratch What do I want? Albert (peremptorily) Yes. Scratch Nothing. I believe one doesn't have to have any special reason to take a walk, and doing so offends nobody. Albert Yes, but don't stay too long. Your servant, sir. Scratch Servant! Before leaving, tell me, if you please, sire, to whom does this country house belong? Albert It belongs to its owner. Scratch Oh, to be sure. You answer so cleverly, that one cannot abandon your conversation easily. We ought to go to the village together to find a place to stay. We'll be there soon. Albert If you hurry. Scratch (aside) This chap doesn't like conversation and answers my questions with a single word. (aloud) I will leave after asking the time. Albert Your question is funny. You think I'm here like the dial on a clock to display the time to passersby. Go learn it elsewhere. Don't weigh down my ear any longer. Your appearance tires me as much as your conversation. Goodbye. Good day! (Exit Albert.) Scratch (alone) This fellow has quite the aspect of a bear. My word, this beginning bewilders me. The old man appears to me to be a bit subject to anger. To bring everything to fruition we may have to fight. So much the better--that's where I shine, and I love to fence. But, I see my master, Mr. Worthy. (Enter Worthy.) Worthy Well, Scratch, what news? Dear Scratch, did you see the beauty in these parts? Have you seen the tutor and do you see some ray of hope for my love someday? Scratch To tell you the truth, it wasn't worth the trouble to race here breathlessly from Milan. You could have spared me the trouble of coming. Oh, that battle on Mount Cenis was no joke. Do you remember how maliciously my cursed mule threw me in a ravine, and I was almost a quarter of an hour rolling to the bottom? Worthy Don't jest. Speak in a different way. Scratch As you wish, a clearer phrase. I will tell you, sir, that I have seen the jealous one--who received me in a manner that makes a cold wind seem mild. We'll need a cannon to take the place. Worthy We'll come in the end to what he said and what he did. I won't leave these parts until I am in possession of the object of my vows. Love will vanquish the resistance of this brute. Scratch If we had some money for expenses, I'd have hope enough for success. Money is the sinew of love as well as war.